As part of the General State Administration, Spain's Embassies and Consulates have certain powers. Please find below what a Consulate can and cannot do for you.

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Embassies and Consulates can:

- Issue passports and exit visas if personal documentation has expired, been lost or stolen. With the aim of returning you to Spain, the Embassy or Consulate can issue, in office hours, a travel document with limited validity.- Provide information on medical, education and legal services in the country. You can also consult the section entitled ‘Living in…’ on the web page of the Spanish Representation in the destination country.- In the event of arrest, you are entitled to ask the local authorities to immediately get in touch with the Spanish Consul.- Provide assistance to detainees: notify their arrest to their family should the detainee so request, periodically visit, deliver and take messages and correspondence.- Under exceptional circumstances, provide the funds necessary for repatriation, which should be fully reimbursed to the Public Treasury within the legally established period. - Provide Civil Registry, notary and document legalisation services, as well as send communications and matters to Spanish organisations.- Provide assistance in the event of a disaster or emergency.

Embassies and Consulates cannot:- Renew or issue National Identity Documents.- Perform travel agency functions.- Look for a job for you abroad.- In the event of arrest or hospitalisation, guarantee you better treatment than that offered to nationals of the country.- Offer collateral, lend money or pay fines.- Personally provide you with an individual to act as your interpreter, guide or social assistant.- Guarantee your entry into the country.- Act on your behalf in legal proceedings or provide you with legal opinions.